Life insurance is a common tool used by New Yorkers to protect loved ones in the event of an uncertain future. At other times it is a useful way to transfer assets to a new generation, often with significant tax benefits. While there are different types of life insurances (term,…
The nursing home options for New York seniors is changing rapidly. In the past, many facilities were owned publicly, usually by local counties. Elder care advocates often praise these models, because there are concerns about how the profit-motive of private homes affects overall care. Studies have shown that non-profit homes…
It is a nightmare for many families. A senior shows signs of cognitive mental challenges–becomes forgetful and eventually is unable to live on their own. An adult child take control of the senior’s affairs in order to pay for bills and arrange for long-term care. But when the family member…
Most horror stories about poor nursing home care include tales of grotesque “bed sores,” broken bones gone undiagnosed, and similar cases of obvious caregiving lapses. But the best way to measure the quality of long-term care facilities may not be to see how many of these “big” mistakes are made.…
It is no secret that most New Yorkers would prefer to “age in place” instead of moving into a nursing home. For one thing, having access to the comforts of one’s own home and the freedom to live as independently as possible is a natural goal. On top of that,…
This is a heated time for local politics, as various high-profile public officials jockey to replace Michael Bloomberg in the Mayor’s Office. As part of the process, the candidates share different ideas about the challenges facing the city and the ways to fix them. This can be a helpful endeavor,…
The stigma associated with life in nursing homes remain strong. Many seniors do everything in their power to avoid moving into a skilled nursing facility over fears of the quality of life that residents experience. These are common worries, and a key reason that New York resident conduct early estate…
The Post-Star recently published a story with the provocative headline: “Old Age is Coming, and We Are Not Ready.” The article touches on some practical issues in New York state that have often been discussed in the wake of the national demographic shift that is already underway. As most know,…
The Herald Tribune recently reported on troubling case of nursing home neglect and Medicaid fraud that is causing many to worry about a lack of industry oversight. At the heart of the problem are questions about why a nursing home closed in 2011 for repeated quality of care problems was…
New conflict of interest claims are being made against a powerful New York State Senate leader related to nursing home legislation and operation. The situation presents troubling issues of undue influence, and it is also a good example of the complex relationships in the state which ultimately dictate rules and…